My daughter might not look like the rest of the kids but I assure you, she’s very much alike. Like most kids, mommy is the center of her world. For the past 3 years, she has been my little shadow. She never leaves my side. She has undergone 5 major surgeries, 3 of which where open hearts. She’s been to hell and back and I’ve been with her every step of the way. We always joke that she’s always “looking for me.” Whenever we are in a room of people, you can always guarantee that Emily will scan the room for me. My mom often jokes by saying “don’t worry Emily! Mommy isn’t going anywhere!” When she is in therapy and achieves a new milestone, before she can complete the task, she looks for me to make sure I’m watching. When I’m cooking dinner and she’s content playing with her toys, I can feel her checking in every once in a while.

In 2 weeks, my daughter is starting preschool. I will be sending her off to a foreign place with “strangers.”

Will she look for me?

Will she wonder why mommy left her?

I know she will look for me. That’s what she does. But my sweet Emily, when you look up for me at school, I don’t want you to not see me, but instead I want you to see a future brighter than the sun. I want you to see the world around you. A world that is bigger than any hurdle you have to jump. When you look up baby girl I want you to see endless possibilities. Mommy may not be by your side anymore but this is what we have trained for! Time for you to spread those wings!

Emily, sweet girl, when you look up, I want you to reach for the stars!

& don’t worry, mommy will be there at the end of the day with arms wide open!